Fossil Downs Homestead Group

Author

Shire of Derby/West Kimberley

Place Number

00697

Location

Fossil Downs Rd King Lepopold Ranges

Location Details

about 25 km E of Fitzroy Crossing

Other Name(s)

Fossil Downs Station

Local Government

Derby-West Kimberley

Region

Kimberley

Construction Date

Constructed from 1948, Constructed from 1938

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
State Register Registered 26 Feb 1999 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Register of the National Estate Indicative Place
Register of the National Estate Nominated 25 Sep 1985
Classified by the National Trust Classified 04 Jun 1985
Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register Permanent
Municipal Inventory Adopted 01 Dec 1995 Category 1

Statement of Significance

Very significant as a unique homestead dating from the 1930s. The building is a remarkable achievement in the remote Kimberley region. The grounds are also significant and the significance is increase

Physical Description

The Fossil Downs homestead is unusually grand and its construction and lavish furnishing are a remarkable achievement in the remote Kimberley location.The building is designed facing the river however the rear entrance is most commonly used as the front door. The building is of two storeys and designed around a central entry hall with a fine jarrah staircase constructed in Perth and transported to the Kimberley station. The original fittings and furnishings have been conserved intact in the building and the place contains fine examples of interior design dating from the 1940s. The art-deco staircase and balustrade is of particular significance. The house is set in attractively landscaped grounds with immaculate gardens leading up to the house from the station entry gates. There are a number of other buildings within the station complex including stables dating from the 1930s and station living quarters. All these building have been conserved by the present owners.

History

Fossil Downs Station was established by the MacDonald family in 1886. In 1938 William Neil MacDonald married Maxine, a Sydney model, and brought her to Fossil Downs. They built the existing homestead from clay bricks made on the property. William died in 1963 and Maxine in 1988 and both are buried in the Station cemetery. The station was used by the RAAF during World War II. The station is prone to serious flooding and the owners have installed elaborate pulley systems to lift furniture above the water level in the event of floods.

Integrity/Authenticity

Intactness of fabric: Very good Alterations: No alterations

Condition

Very Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
C Clement; "Municiapl Inventory for the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley- Thematic Framework". Shire of Derby- WEst Limberley 1995

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
8335 Historic buildings of the Kimberley region of W.A. Book 1988

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use FARMING\PASTORAL Homestead
Present Use FARMING\PASTORAL Homestead
Other Use FARMING\PASTORAL Shed or Barn

Architectural Styles

Style
Inter-War Functionalist

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Other CONCRETE Other Concrete

Historic Themes

General Specific
DEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY Land allocation & subdivision

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

02 Feb 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.